SANDALS

Abstract

An improved sandal to provide greater support and comfort for a foot of a wearer. The improved sandal includes a strap having first and second ends secured to a sole formed of at least one layer. Two or more thongs are attached at a first end to the strap be the first and second ends, and the two or more thongs are attached at a second end to the sole.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/360,506 filed on Jul. 11, 2016, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to improved sandals, and in particular, to an improved sandal to provide greater support and comfort for the wearer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Footwear refers to garments worn on the feet, primarily for protection against the environment and for fashion. Many different styles and mindsets regarding footwear have existed over many centuries and across many cultures. Some ancient cultures such as the Egyptians, Hindu and Greeks did not regard footwear as an essential garment and often went barefoot, though the Egyptians and Hindus were known to occasionally don ornamental footwear, such as a sole-less sandal known as a "Cleopatra." Other cultures, such as the Romans, considered footwear as visual signs of social and economic status and power, while going about barefoot was an indicator of poverty on the level of slaves and peasants.

[0004] Sandals are an open type of outdoor footwear, consisting of a sole held to the wearer's foot by straps passing over the instep and occasionally over the ankle. Sandals may take many different forms but the common understanding is that a sandal leaves a large portion of the upper foot exposed, particularly the toes. Conventional foot sandals ordinarily include a platform with straps extending across the platform and permanently secured within the platform structure. The foot is then slipped into the strap so as to provide a means of holding the foot to the platform. Sandals have been very popular for many years, and are widely used indoors and outdoors, usually in warmer weather and climates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed an improved sandal to provide greater support and comfort for a foot of a wearer. The improved sandal includes a strap having first and second ends secured to a sole formed of at least one layer. Two or more thongs are attached at a first end to the strap between the first and second ends. The two or more thongs are attached at a second end to the sole.

[0006] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed improved sandal to provide greater support and comfort for a foot of a wearer. The improved sandal includes a strap having first and second ends secured to a sole formed of at least one layer. Two or more thongs are attached at a first end to the strap between the first and second ends. The two or more thongs are attached at a second end to the sole, whereby the sole is formed of a foot bed adhered onto a midsole, and the midsole adhered onto an outsole. The two or bongs extend from the sole to a body of the strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The structure, operation, and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures (FIGs.). The figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Certain elements in some of the figures may be omitted, or illustrated not-to-scale, for illustrative clarity. The cross-sectional views may be in the form of "slices", or "near-sighted" cross-sectional views, omitting certain background lines which would otherwise be visible in a "true" cross-sectional view, for illustrative clarity.

[0008] In the drawings accompanying the description that follows, both reference numerals and legends (labels, text descriptions) may be used to identify elements. If legends are provided, they are intended merely as an aid to the reader, and should not in any way be interpreted as limiting.

[0009] These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a front three-dimensional view of the improved sandal, in accordance with the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the improved sandal, in accordance with the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a front view of the improved sandal, in accordance with the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a front view of the improved sandal in use by a wearer, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In the description that follows, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations of these specific details are possible while still achieving the results of the present invention. Well-known processing steps are generally not described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obfuscating the description of the present invention.

[0015] In the description that follows, exemplary dimensions may be presented for an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The dimensions should not be interpreted as limiting. They are included to provide a sense of proportion. Generally speaking, it is the relationship between various elements, where they are located, their contrasting compositions, and sometimes their relative sizes that is of significance.

[0016] In the drawings accompanying the description that follows, often both reference numerals and legends (labels, text descriptions) will be used to identify elements. If legends are provided, they are intended merely as an aid to the reader, and should not in any way be interpreted as limiting.

[0017] The flip-flop sandal is typically designed for convenience and easy access in the application of inserting or removing the flip-flop footwear article on or off of the human foot. This is accomplished by inserting the forefoot portion of the human foot into the forefoot cover of the flip-flop wherein the forefoot cover of the flip-flop secures the forefoot portion of the user's foot to the forefoot section of the flip-flop's sole or foot bed. This as a result allows the heel portion of the user's foot to operate freely from the heel section of the flip-flop's sole. It is this design feature of the flip-flop that s great for convenience and leisure wearing.

[0018] The improved sandal 10 is designed to provide greater support and comfort for the wearer 12. Generally, the traditional flip-flop sandal incorporates a strap that holds the sandal on a wearer's foot 12a, wherein the strap extends from the sole and is positioned so that fits between the first and second toes of the wearer. However, this design often leads to discomfort to the wearer. The improved sandal 10 is novel in that the strap 14 fits between several pairs of the wearer's toes and more securely holds the sandals to the wearer's foot. This is a safety feature and an improvement of the prior art sandals which tended to flop around leading to the wearer tripping and potentially hurting themselves. Another feature is that the improved sandal 10, while providing the comfort of prior art sandals, is better secured to the wearer's feet and is more attractive.

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a front three dimensional view of the improved sandal 10, having a strap 14 and sole 16 formed as is common in flip-flop sandals. The sole 16 may be made of a middle base layer known as the midsole 20, an upper surface layer known as the foot bed 22 and a bottom layer or outsole 24, as seen in FIG. 2. The foot bed 22 may be formed from rubber, leather, synthetic fabrics, or other materials that are known to the art. The midsole 20, foot bed 22, and outsole 24 may be constructed from the same material or a more durable material such as ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), rubber, vulcanized rubber, polyurethane, dual density SSR, or any other material known to the art for sole construction. The upper surface layer or foot bed 22 may be adhered into or onto the middle base layer or midsole 20, and the midsole may be adhered into or onto the bottom layer or outsole 24.

[0020] The method of construction of the sole of the improved sandal 10 may vary depending on the design and various methods that are known within the art of flip-flop and sandal manufacturing. The upper surface layer or foot bed 22 of the improved sandal 10 may be formed so as to best fit the contours of the human foot. The foot bed 22 may be formed from the same or material as the midsole 20 or the outsole 24. In various embodiments of the present invention, the foot bed 22 may be altered or changed according to user comfort issues. Alternatively, the sole 16 may be one solid unit. In any of the above embodiments, the sole 16 may be made with any material and by any process known to the art.

[0021] As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the strap 14 includes two portions 14c and 14d which are attached to each other at one end 14e and 14f. The opposite ends 14a and 14b which are connected at one end to the intersection of the ends 14e and 14f of portions 14c and 14d, respectively, and at the opposite end 14a and 14b are secured to the sole 16 as described hereinafter. The strap 14 has at least first and second thongs 26 and 27 which are connected at one end 26a and 27a to the intersection of the ends 14e and 14f of portions 14c and 14d, respectively. The opposite ends 26b and 27b of the first and second thongs 26 and 27, respectively, are secured to the sole 16 as described hereinafter.

[0022] The first and second thongs 26 and 27 are positioned so that first thong 26 fits between the first and second toes 12b and 12c of the wearer, and second thong 27 fits between the second and third toes 12c and 12d of the wearer 12. Although there are two thongs 26 and 27 illustrated in the present embodiment, there may be up to two additional thongs to secure the other toes of the wearer.

[0023] As seen in FIG. 2, each of the first and second thongs 26 and 27 have post base 28 and 29, respectively, which are disposed in openings 31 and 33 extending from the foot bed 22, through the midsole 20 to the outsole 24. The ends of the first and second thongs 26 and 27 are formed into circular post base 26a and 27a which are secured in openings 31a and 33a formed in the outer facing side 24 of the sole 16. The openings 31a and 33a are larger in diameter than openings 31 and 33 so that the two thongs 26 and 27 remain secured to the sole 16. The strap 14 and the thongs 26 and 27 may be integrally formed. Alternatively, strap 14 and the thongs 26 and 27 may be suitably attached and fixed in any desired fashion.

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates the manner in which the strap 14 is attached to the sole 16. Each of the first and second thongs 26 and 27 has a post base 28 and 29, respectively embedded in the sole 16. Further, first and second ends 14a and 14b of the strap 14 has a post base 32a and 32b similar to post base 28 and 29, secured in the openings 37 and 39 which are larger in diameter than openings 41 and 43 extending from the foot bed 22, through the mid sole 20 to the outsole 24 so that the two straps sections 14c and 14d lain secured to the sole 16.

[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates the improved sandal 10 in use on a wearer's foot 12a. As illustrated, the thong 26a is lodged between the first and second toes 12b and 12c of the wearer, and thong 26b fits between the second and third toes 12c and 12d of the wearer 12. As previously mentioned, the improved sandal 10 may have additional thongs (not shown) to fit between the other toes of the wearer's foot 12a, such as third and fourth toes 12d and 12e, respectively.

[0026] Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain preferred embodiment or embodiments, certain equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (assemblies, devices, etc.) the terms (including a reference to a "means") used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more features of the other embodiments as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

Claims

1. An improved sandal to provide greater support and comfort for a foot of a wearer, comprising: a strap having first and second ends secured to a sole formed of at least one layer; two or more thongs attached at a first end to the strap between the first and second ends; and the two or more thongs attached at a second end to the sole.

2. The improved sandal of claim 1 wherein the improved sandal is constructed from the group consisting of ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), rubber, vulcanized rubber, polyurethane, or dual density SSR.

3. The improved sandal of claim 1 wherein the sole is formed of a foot bed adhered onto a midsole, and the midsole is adhered onto an outsole.

4. The improved sandal of claim 3 wherein the upper surface layer is formed to fit contours of the foot of the wearer.

5. The improved sandal of claim 1 wherein the two or more thongs extend from the sole to a body of the strap.

6. The improved sandal of claim 5 wherein the strap includes two portions which are attached to each other at one end, and opposite ends which are connected at one end to an intersection of ends of the two portions of the strap, respectively, and at the opposite end are secured to the sole.

7. The improved sandal of claim 6 wherein the two or more thongs are positioned so that a first thong fits between first and second toes of the wearer, and a second thong fits between second and third toes of the wearer.

8. The improved sandal of claim 6 including each of the two or more thongs has a post base, respectively, which are disposed in openings extending from the foot bed, through the midsole to the outsole.

9. The improved sandal of claim 8 wherein the ends of the two or more thongs are formed into circular post base which are secured in openings formed in an outer facing side of the sole.

10. The improved sandal of claim 9 wherein the openings extending from the foot bed, through the midsole to the outsole are larger in diameter than openings formed in the outer facing side of the sole so that the two or more thongs remain secured to the sole.

11. The improved sandal of claim 10 wherein the strap and the two or more thongs are integrally formed.

12. An improved sandal to provide greater support and comfort for a foot of a wearer, comprising: a strap having first and second ends secured to a sole formed of at least one layer; the strap between the first and second ends; the two or more thongs attached at a second end to the sole; the sole formed of a foot bed adhered onto a midsole, and the midsole adhered onto an outsole; and the two or more thongs extend from the sole to a body of the strap.

13. The improved sandal of claim 12 wherein the improved sandal is constructed from the group consisting of ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), rubber, vulcanized rubber, polyurethane, or dual density SSR.

14. The improved sandal of claim 12 wherein the upper surface layer is formed to fit contours of the foot of the wearer.

15. The improved sandal of claim 12 wherein the strap includes two portions which are attached to each other at one end, and opposite ends which are connected at one end to an intersection of ends of the two portions of the strap, respectively, and at the opposite end are secured to the sole.

16. The improved sandal of claim 15 wherein the two or more thongs are positioned so that a first thong fits between first and second toes of the wearer, and a second thong fits between second and third toes of the wearer.

17. The improved sandal of claim 16 including each of the two or more thongs has a post base, respectively, which are disposed in openings extending from the foot bed, through the midsole to the outsole.

18. The improved sandal of claim 17 wherein the ends of the two or ore thongs are formed into circular post base which are secured in openings formed in an outer facing side of the sole.

19. The improved sandal of claim 18 wherein the openings extending from the foot bed, through the midsole to the outsole are larger in diameter than openings formed in the outer facing side of the sole so that the two or more thongs remain secured to the sole.

20. The improved sandal of claim 19 wherein the strap and the two or more thongs are integrally formed.